Business Development Workshops
Interactive Live and Online Workshops!
The Economic Opportunity and Development Division works with a variety of local organizations and professional groups to provide business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
Click here for a list of previously recorded workshops and events that are now available for viewing.
Please note - Registrations close 2 HOURS BEFORE the workshop begins (unless otherwise noted below). Classes may be cancelled or postponed due to lack of registration. Please call the Division at 617/349-4637 to check the status of a workshop.
All workshops are free for Cambridge business owners and residents unless otherwise noted. If you have questions about our workshops, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.
April
Food Business Coaching Webinar Part 3: Today’s Food Business Customers
- Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Time: 9:00 - 11:00 A.M.
- Location: Online via Zoom.
Have you wondered how today’s customers interact with food businesses? Are you wanting to attract new customers to your food business? Join this workshop to learn more about the typical customer patterns of food business patrons. Customer needs and interests constantly evolve but Covid-19 grafted a host of new concerns onto existing customer patterns. In this workshop, attendees will be presented with a review of common customer personas that include psychographics, needs, and pain points. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of today’s customers and will be guided through some specific examples of how one’s business can make certain changes that will best cater to those new customer needs. Attendees will also explore customer profiles for untraditional shoppers including students, government or institution staff who purchase items for catering events, and other businesses as part of a peer-to-peer network. This workshop is presented by Prepshift. Open to all. Cambridge businesses who attend these workshops may be eligible for free, one-on-one coaching assistance with Prepshift. To check your eligibility, click here.
May
Retail Playbook Workshop Part 1: Understanding Changes in Retail and Marketing Basics
- Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Zoom.
What you'll learn:
- The basics of digital marketing for retail and how to effectively reach customers and keep customers coming back.
- How to measure if your marketing is working well by looking at numbers and using these numbers to make smart choices for your business.
Registration is required. You can register for any or all of the workshops. If the program has too many participants, priority will be given to Cambridge Legacy Businesses.
Retail Playbook Workshop Part 2: Reaching More Customers Online
- Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Zoom.
What you'll learn:
- How to make your business more visible online to get more customers through your website, social media, delivery apps, and local listings.
- Ways to use local online retail directories to connect with more people and grow your online orders.
Registration is required. You can register for any or all of the workshops. If the program has too many participants, priority will be given to Cambridge Legacy Businesses.
Retail Playbook Workshop Part 4: Using Customer Data for Better Marketing
- Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
- Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom.
What you'll learn:
- How to use the information from your point of sales (POS) system to see what's selling, when you're busiest, and which items on your menu make the most money.
- A hands-on activity to find out which products give you the best profit and how to create special deals to attract more customers to these items.
Registration is required. You can register for any or all of the workshops. If the program has too many participants, priority will be given to Cambridge Legacy Businesses.